Teenage duo produces magazine
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:41 am
Teenage duo produces magazine for age group
By Todd Vinyard Memphis Commerical Appeal
Flip through the magazine and the story topics seem similar to others in publications on hunting and fishing. From deer hunting to saltwater fishing, all the familiar topics are covered.
Take a closer look at the 14 pages of the preview issue or title and it is clear what makes HunTeen magazine different - it is for teenage outdoors enthusiasts by teenage outdoors enthusiasts. A.J. Kiihnl, 15, and Ben Weddington, 15, of Eads, Tenn., are publishers of the magazine aimed at "The Next Generation Oudoorsman."
The first magazine comes out in September. There will be six issues a year. The two teenage publishers have put together a preview issue. They said the goal is a magazine written for guys and girls ages 11-21 that explains the outdoors in their language. It will include photos and stories of youngsters in the outdoors.
"We wanted a magazine that explains in our terms what is going on when you are hunting or fishing," Weddington said. "We'll have stories of fun trips and information on products. We want to show what a great time hunting and fishing can be and help teenagers understand what is going on."
Safety in the outdoors will be stressed, and the magazine will be handed out in Tennessee and Arkansas hunter saftey classes.
Fun will also be stressed, and the enjoyment of days spent in the field or casting a line. Weddington and Kiihnl have been at the outdoors game long enough to know that a good trip isn't always measured in numbers, but instead comes from the joy of learning more about nature and yourself.
"Hunting and fishing are great ways to do things with your family that you can always remember," Kiihnl said.
Memories that are recounted through entertaining tales in this new magazine.
Weddington writes in an article for the preview magazine called "Who ya Callin' Turkey?":
"We packed up and started walking, looking for more signs of turkeys. We walked about 2 hours when I said 'NO MORE, I am going back.' I was tired of turkey hunting, on the way back we checked one last field. To our surprise, in that field was a flock of turkeys, walking right towards us 5 yards out. We set-up in the woods about 3 to 4 yards from the field and waited. We didn't call at all. We were completely still. I had since changed my mind about the turkey hunting and vowed to myself to shoot one of them. Well, they walked right out in front of us. I pulled my gun up and aimed at a jake but Brandon didn't have a shot, and I waited. The turkeys were getting skittish so I knew I had to act fast. As they were walking away I dropped a jake and ran out to get him. He was still flopping, and I was going to shoot him again until my friend stopped me. I was so happy. My first turkey."
And there's Whitney Kiihnl talking about a 10-point deer taken in Mississippi from 137 yards in an article titled "GirlsHunt Too!":
"When we got back to the house I couldn't wait to tell my brother. He didn't believe me until he saw it in the back of my dad's truck. He was pretty disappointed that I had gotten a big deer before him, but he was proud for me too. The next year he ended up getting a 10 point."
Kiihnl and Weddington had always talked about having a magazine for kids their age about the outdoors.
But the two Fayette Academy students never dreamed of the response they would get after deciding to buy a booth at the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival in June to showcase the new magazine.
"Right away we had people coming up and telling us they were interested in it and how could they advertise or get a copy," Kiihnl said.
And they've already had other teens submit stories for future magazine issues. Stories have come from as far away as Wisconsin and Texas.
"We would like to have teenagers from all over the country writing about what they are doing in the outdoors," Weddington said.
The magazine will feature a section called "We've Got Braggin' Rights" with pictures of young people showing off the results of good day's fishing or hunting.
Things like school and football practice make putting out the magazine a major job. But the two have help with Kiihnl's father Ronnie, who is in the printing business, and other family members. Still it is the teenagers who put the publication together.
"It has been impressive to see the way they have worked hard on this," said Ben's mother, Cindy Weddington. "They've really gone out and done a great job."
But will all this work cut into Ben and A.J.'s hunting and fishing time?
"No way," Weddington said. "We love it and will be doing more and more while working with the magazine."
For information on subscribing or submitting an article to HunTeen magazine call 466-9007 or write P.O. Box 185, Eads, TN, 38028.
By Todd Vinyard Memphis Commerical Appeal
Flip through the magazine and the story topics seem similar to others in publications on hunting and fishing. From deer hunting to saltwater fishing, all the familiar topics are covered.
Take a closer look at the 14 pages of the preview issue or title and it is clear what makes HunTeen magazine different - it is for teenage outdoors enthusiasts by teenage outdoors enthusiasts. A.J. Kiihnl, 15, and Ben Weddington, 15, of Eads, Tenn., are publishers of the magazine aimed at "The Next Generation Oudoorsman."
The first magazine comes out in September. There will be six issues a year. The two teenage publishers have put together a preview issue. They said the goal is a magazine written for guys and girls ages 11-21 that explains the outdoors in their language. It will include photos and stories of youngsters in the outdoors.
"We wanted a magazine that explains in our terms what is going on when you are hunting or fishing," Weddington said. "We'll have stories of fun trips and information on products. We want to show what a great time hunting and fishing can be and help teenagers understand what is going on."
Safety in the outdoors will be stressed, and the magazine will be handed out in Tennessee and Arkansas hunter saftey classes.
Fun will also be stressed, and the enjoyment of days spent in the field or casting a line. Weddington and Kiihnl have been at the outdoors game long enough to know that a good trip isn't always measured in numbers, but instead comes from the joy of learning more about nature and yourself.
"Hunting and fishing are great ways to do things with your family that you can always remember," Kiihnl said.
Memories that are recounted through entertaining tales in this new magazine.
Weddington writes in an article for the preview magazine called "Who ya Callin' Turkey?":
"We packed up and started walking, looking for more signs of turkeys. We walked about 2 hours when I said 'NO MORE, I am going back.' I was tired of turkey hunting, on the way back we checked one last field. To our surprise, in that field was a flock of turkeys, walking right towards us 5 yards out. We set-up in the woods about 3 to 4 yards from the field and waited. We didn't call at all. We were completely still. I had since changed my mind about the turkey hunting and vowed to myself to shoot one of them. Well, they walked right out in front of us. I pulled my gun up and aimed at a jake but Brandon didn't have a shot, and I waited. The turkeys were getting skittish so I knew I had to act fast. As they were walking away I dropped a jake and ran out to get him. He was still flopping, and I was going to shoot him again until my friend stopped me. I was so happy. My first turkey."
And there's Whitney Kiihnl talking about a 10-point deer taken in Mississippi from 137 yards in an article titled "GirlsHunt Too!":
"When we got back to the house I couldn't wait to tell my brother. He didn't believe me until he saw it in the back of my dad's truck. He was pretty disappointed that I had gotten a big deer before him, but he was proud for me too. The next year he ended up getting a 10 point."
Kiihnl and Weddington had always talked about having a magazine for kids their age about the outdoors.
But the two Fayette Academy students never dreamed of the response they would get after deciding to buy a booth at the Ducks Unlimited Great Outdoors Festival in June to showcase the new magazine.
"Right away we had people coming up and telling us they were interested in it and how could they advertise or get a copy," Kiihnl said.
And they've already had other teens submit stories for future magazine issues. Stories have come from as far away as Wisconsin and Texas.
"We would like to have teenagers from all over the country writing about what they are doing in the outdoors," Weddington said.
The magazine will feature a section called "We've Got Braggin' Rights" with pictures of young people showing off the results of good day's fishing or hunting.
Things like school and football practice make putting out the magazine a major job. But the two have help with Kiihnl's father Ronnie, who is in the printing business, and other family members. Still it is the teenagers who put the publication together.
"It has been impressive to see the way they have worked hard on this," said Ben's mother, Cindy Weddington. "They've really gone out and done a great job."
But will all this work cut into Ben and A.J.'s hunting and fishing time?
"No way," Weddington said. "We love it and will be doing more and more while working with the magazine."
For information on subscribing or submitting an article to HunTeen magazine call 466-9007 or write P.O. Box 185, Eads, TN, 38028.
You are correct Wingman as I am not appauled. 